Political Science and Liberal Arts Education in North Dakota

If you wish to work in governmental affairs, politics, public administration, or just to learn more about the ways politics and government interact with and influence society (and vice versa), getting a political science degree in North Dakota might be the right educational track for you. A comprehensive education in political science includes courses in politics, government, foreign relations, public administration, political theory, history, economics, communications, critical thinking, mathematics and statistics, and foreign languages.

Research may be a part of your school's political science curriculum as well. Schools in North Dakota may require an internship of their political science students. This internship may be working in research, communications, on a political campaign, in the state or local government, or working within private industry or business, depending upon your eventual career goal in political science after graduation. Graduates of North Dakota political science programs will have a better understanding of politics around the world, their role as citizens, the functioning of government, political power, and the duties and responsibilities of both the citizen and government within the political realm.

Political Science Careers in North Dakota

Data provided by ACT's College and Workforce Training Readiness study, from now through 2016 occupations within five of the industries with the most expected growth in North Dakota will require at least a two-year college degree. These industries are education (expected to grow by 14 percent), management (with 12 percent predicted growth), health care (expected growth of 9 percent), computer specialties (7 percent expected growth) and engineering (7 percent expected growth through 2016). Contrary to what one might think, there are positions for political science graduates within each of these industries.

In education, of course, graduate-trained political science majors may find employment at North Dakota's colleges and universities, as well as within research capacities. Political science majors who turn to the management industry could work as a management analyst, business executive or consultant. Health care also has a place for political science graduates, in advocacy positions and positions studying government regulations. Technologically minded political science majors could find employment in information technology and computer specialties in North Dakota. Engineering firms also need political science graduates to assist in company regulatory and government affairs, as well as in public relations and marketing.

How to Become a Politician in North Dakota

North Dakotans who wish to run for elected public office should begin their quest at the North Dakota Secretary of State's office. This office provides detailed information and the necessary qualifications for potential candidates of state, local and national offices. Information is available on the department's website for North Dakotans who want to run for city office, school district office, county or multi-county district office, legislature, statewide and district judicial office, non-partisan statewide executive office, partisan statewide executive office, Congress, or the office of the President.

The Secretary of State's office also publishes the Qualifications and Terms of Office for all Elected Positions in North Dakota. This handy guide informs potential candidates of the qualifications and term limits for every elected office in the state, from Commissioner to President of the United States. North Dakotans who are considering any run for elected public office are urged to consult this guide first to make sure they understand the term limits and meet the qualifications for that office. In addition, a document entitled Statistics and Legislative Petition Signature Requirements for North Dakota's Legislative Districts is also available from the Secretary of State's office. This document details the requirements for each of the 47 legislative districts in the state.